Eggs thrown at DPR over probe findings

Eggs thrown at DPR over probe findings

JAKARTA (JP): Relatives and parents of students slain in the
Trisakti and Semanggi shootings expressed disappointment at the
findings of a House of Representative special committee
investigating the incidents by throwing eggs during a House
session on Monday.

Sumarsih, mother of the late Norma Irawan, one of the victims
of the Semanggi cloverleaf shooting in 1998, threw eggs as the
committee concluded their over eight-month long investigation by
recommending further probes of the incidents.

At least four eggs landed on legislator seats as Sumarsih
cried out: "The House is not the representative of the people!"

The House special committee submitted on Monday their
investigation into the Trisakti and Semanggi shootings with a
proposal that if necessary a human rights ad hoc tribunal be
establishment for the case.

In a plenary House session, the special committee said the
tribunal for the shootings at Trisakti University in 1998 and the
Semanggi cloverleaf in 1998 and 1999 should be established
through a presidential decree.

Special committee chairman Panda Nababan of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said in his report
that the government should also ask the National Commission on
Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to conduct a special investigation into
the cases.

Panda, however, pointed out that since the cases occurred
before the issuance of Law No.26/2000 on a human rights court,
the special investigative team could only conduct an
investigation after the president issued a decree on an ad hoc
tribunal.

"Without the legal authority (of the decree) it would be
difficult for Komnas HAM to summon suspects or witnesses," Panda
said.

Four students from Trisakti University were shot dead during
an antigovernment rally on May 12, 1998, a precursor to the
fall of former president Soeharto.

At least 16 students were shot dead at the Semanggi cloverleaf
on Oct. 13, 1998, as they protested the convening of a special
session of the People's Consultative Assembly. And 10 students
were shot and killed at Semanggi on Sept. 24, 1999, as they
protested against the passage of a state security law. (dja)